Opening of FTA negotiations with Australia and New Zealand

Details

25 February 2016

Ian Hudghton (Greens/EFA) ‒ I support the opening of free trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand although this does not preclude any objections I may have to any future outcome. I support Scotland's membership of the EU and will vote accordingly in the forthcoming UK referendum. The EU operates as a trading block and that implies reaching international agreements. I have deep reservations about TTIP and will vote to reject an unsatisfactory agreement. Nevertheless, we should not object to the EU entering into new international negotiations – which in turn can be rejected if they are ultimately unsatisfactory.